Intel May Use External USB 3.0 to Enable USB 3.0 - Rumours.

Since Intel Corp.'s next-generation core-logic sets for mainstream desktops do not support USB 3.0 natively, the company plans to add an external controller to reference designs of future mainboards due out early next year.

In a bid not to comply with contemporary de-facto standards for interconnection technologies, Intel plans to install SuperSpeed USB controllers from third-party suppliers onto reference designs of mainboards based on Intel 6-series core-logic sets (code-named Cougar Point), which do not support USB 3.0 natively, reports Chinese-language Commercial Times news-paper (which report was partly translated by DigiTimes web-site). The motherboards will support Intel's next-generation Sandy Bridge processors in LGA1155 form-factor.

Many manufacturers of mainboards have already installed external USB 3.0 controllers to provide appropriate functionality for users, who already have devices that can take advantage of the interconnection standard with up to 480Mb/s of bandwidth. Intel's main rival Advanced Micro Devices plans to support SuperSpeed USB natively by its future core-logic sets due in 2011.

According to analysts, digital photo cameras and camcoders are among the first mass consumer electronics devices to take advantage of USB 3.0. At present some external hard drives, solid-state drives and USB memory sticks support the SuperSpeed USB. Installation of external USB 3.0 controllers onto reference designs of forthcoming mainboards will indisputably speed up adoption of the new standard.